Fun family adventures for a rainy day

Whether you’re stuck at home or taking refuge elsewhere, there are many things you can do to keep the whole family occupied while waiting out the inclement weather.

Hours and availability subject to change — please call ahead for the most up-to-date information.Next

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The kids will get a kick out of seeing what they — or you — looked and sounded like as a wee one. For a more special experience, think about borrowing a video projector from your office and hang a white sheet on the wall to get that drive-in movie experience.
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Suzanne Kreiter / Globe Staff

When the power goes out, video games, computers, and all other electronic entertainment becomes null and void. Use this moment to your advantage by digging out all the board games you enjoyed as a child — like Monopoly at left — and introduce them to the next generation.
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Tom Herde for The Boston Globe

Get the kids involved in the process by letting them measure out the flour, fetch the ingredients from the cabinet, and read you the directions from the cookbook. After the cookies come out of the oven, that’s when the real fun begins with sprinkles, frosting, and anything else you can use for decoration. Looking for a really easy option? Dip oreos in melted chocolate like the woman pictured at left.
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(c) iStockphoto.com

Let the house rules go out the window for an afternoon by assembling a living room-sized blanket fort. Pillows, cushions, dad’s easy chair — it’s all fair game. Years from now, when the kids are still talking about “that time mom and dad let us build an awesome fort,” you’ll thank us.<br><br>
If you’re looking for some more indoor fun, but need to get out of the house, we’ve rounded up some more ideas...Next

On the last Saturday of each month, the ICA hosts a day of learning and hands-on activities free for the entire family.<br><br>
10 a.m.-4 p.m. Institute of Contemporary Art: 100 Northern Ave., Boston. 617-478-3100, www.icaboston.orgNext

Courtesy of Diablo Glass School

The Diablo Glass School on Mission Hill offers something a little different every Sunday with their Family Experience events. Children can learn about the art of glass blowing by watching the professionals or or make a pendant in an express fusing class. <br><br>
$15 per person, $10 extra for pendants. Sundays 1-3 p.m. 123 Terrace St., Boston. 617-442-7444. www.diabloglassschool.comNext

Sarah Brezinsky for the Boston Globe

Escape the foul weather at Boston Bowl (pictured) in Dorchester, which features 14 candlepin and 30 tenpin lanes, or hit up Lanes and Games in Cambridge. Bowling is cheaper during the day, so take the kids early to save some money. <br><br>
Boston Bowl: 24 hours, 820 Morrissey Blvd., Dorchester. 617-825-3800. bostonbowl.com; Lanes and Games: Mon.—Fri 9—midnight, Sat. & Sun. noon—midnight. 195 Concord Turnpike, Cambridge. 617-876-5533. lanesgames.comNext

Photo by Ben Snitkoff

Improv Boston’s spontaneous comedians host a family-friendly production every Saturday at 6 p.m. The “unscripted show includes improvised singing, dancing, and comedic scenes that are guaranteed to have the whole family laughing out loud,” according to the website.<br><br>
6 p.m. $12, $7 students and children. ImprovBoston, 40 Prospect St., Central Square, Cambridge. 617-576-1253. improvboston.comNext

Mark Wilson / Globe Staff

If being cooped up indoors has the kids climbing the walls (ahem) put that energy to good use at MetroRock in Everett. Your children (ages 5 and up) can reach new heights in the gym’s “Learn the Ropes” class. And, don’t worry, your little scramblers will be supervised by climbing instructors. <br><br>
Reservations required. $18 for an adult day pass, $10 for children under 7. MetroRock, 69 Norman St., Everett. 617-387-7625. www.metrorock.comNext

Joanna Weiss / Globe Staff

Get your bounce on at Sky Zone indoor trampoline park where kids of all ages (that includes you too, mom!) can hop, skip, and jump until their hearts content, no matter the weather. Just be sure to fill out the “Before You Jump” waiver for the 18 and under crowd to avoid an abrupt halt on the fun.<br><br>
Open jump 3-8 p.m. Tues.-Thurs.; noon-11 p.m. Fri.; 10 a.m.-10 p.m. Sat.; noon-8 p.m., Sun.; 91-b Sprague St., Boston. 857-345-9693. boston.skyzone.comNext

Wendy Maeda / Globe Staff

Spend the afternoon decorating pottery at Made by Me in Cambridge and when you’re done making a mess, er, painting, the staff will glaze and fire the pieces for you. Choose from vases, plates, ornaments, and other blank clay canvases waiting on the shelves. <br><br>
Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-9 p.m.; Sun. 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Made by Me, 1685 Mass. Ave., Cambridge. 617-354-8111. www.made-by-me.comNext

Mark Shanahan / Globe Staff

We consider the Wellesley College Botanic Gardens to be a dual purpose day trip: an indoor tropical wonderland for the wee ones and a steam treatment for mom (or dad). The Margaret C. Ferguson Greenhouses are split into multiple rooms featuring curated horticulture, from tropical to desert plants, and the environments that sustain them.<br><br>
Free; 8 a.m.-4 p.m. daily. 106 Central St., Wellesley. 781-283-3094. wellesley.edu/WCBGNext

You can still run wild on the jungle gym even when the weather’s not on your side at Watertown’s Inside Playground. Kds will find an inflatable train (lovably named Chuggy Choo Choo), dress-up apparel, and an ice cream truck. Who needs the great outdoors anyway?<br><br>
$10 for first child, then $8 for every additional child; 9 a.m.-8 p.m. Mon.-Sat.; 10 a.m.-8 p.m. Sun. 100 Parker St., Watertown. 877-292-9386. www.indooroutdoorplayground.comNext

Wiqan Ang for the Boston Globe

Brave, budding Tiger Woods should putt their way to Monster Mini Golf. The spooky 18-hole course is haunted by monsters and ghouls. Grim? Maybe, but at least it’s inside. <br><br>
$8 for adults: $7 for kids. Locations in Danvers, Norwood, Fairhaven, Seekonk, Webster, and in Warwick, R.I. www.monsterminigolf.comBack to the beginning